Smithers, B.C. – The Smithers RCMP and Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue Team  will resume their search and recovery efforts near Smithers today.

 

Yesterday, the  Smithers RCMP and Bulkley Valley SAR resumed their efforts to find and recover the bodies of two skiers who were buried in an avalanche Saturday afternoon.

 

The Sunday efforts saw the Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue team  fly into the area via helicopter assess  the conditions.  SAR and Avalanche techs were able to conduct some slope stabilizing blasting, done in effort to render the entry point and corridor to the site safe for SAR and ski into the area.  Due to the weather conditions and further stabilization required, the search and recovery operation was suspended for the day.

 

The group of four back country skiers was caught in the avalanche Saturday afternoon, with one of the four being able to attempt to rescue the others.  The man found one of the 3 buried, suffering only minor injuries. The two men then located a third member of their group, however the 52 yr woman from Regina  was located deceased, the fourth individual, a man from Alberta, remains missing and is feared buried. 

 

The four were part of a larger group who were on a “self-guided” excursion into the area.  The two men then returned to their lodging late Saturday afternoon and reported the incident to authorities.